Visually, the new McLaren Senna is a lot to take in. I distinctly remember grimacing when I first saw the press photos of it, but now that I’ve actually taken a longer look at it, I appreciate it a lot more. I still don’t find it attractive, though.
But if you find beauty in utter functionality, then there is a load of stuff to check out on this car. Happily, our friends at Carfection were able to get one in the studio for a nice, long walk around.
There are just things you don’t pick up from a photograph. Details that you need to really stick your face in close in order to see. Combined, the Senna’s features don’t have much cohesion, but individually, they are striking in their duties.
Take, for instance, the three exhaust tips. They are perfectly flush with the rest of the car, pointing upwards, but also angled so that they wouldn’t disrupt airflow from the massive wing above them.
And how, inside, the starter button is on the ceiling!
I hate using cliches like “form follows function,” but that’s exactly what the Senna is about. There’s only one job that this car was designed to do, and that’s to drive fast.
McLaren released some new numbers today via a press release, so here are the significant ones: a zero to 62 mph sprint in just 2.8 seconds, a standing quarter-mile achieved in just 9.9 seconds, a top speed of 211 mph and it’s capable of producing up to 800 kg (1,764 pounds) of downforce. Again, this is all from a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 that makes 789 horsepower.
It’s obscene. I’m a little grossed out. But in a good way.